Shoulder decisions — 2019

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for a left shoulder disability was granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is rated at 20 percent, and his back condition is rated at various levels prior to March 3, 2015; from March 3, 2015, to February 1, 2019; and thereafter. Both conditions are denied for increased ratings.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is characterized by pain and limited motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to ankylosis or other specific limitations. The current 20% rating remains appropriate.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches, pain and burning sensations in the legs, shoulders, arms and/or neck, and an initial compensable disability rating for Hepatitis C due to inadequate etiological opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 30 percent for the right shoulder disability or 20 percent for the left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical examination and records, as well as a determination of whether there is a current right shoulder disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, spondylosis and IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to a specific disability rating for each condition.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder with mood disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his right shoulder scars are not compensable. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's tinea cruris, left ankle scar, right shoulder strain, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder are granted service connection. The Veteran is also granted a rating in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder strain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected right knee strain, left knee strain, left shoulder strain, and right shoulder strain.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine, left knee, right knee, left foot, and right foot disabilities. Service connection is denied for low back, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities.,Service connection was granted based on the Veteran's credible reports of in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability was denied. The highest possible rating of 30 percent under muscle group I has been assigned since January 26, 2017.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, neck disability, headaches, and neurological disabilities of the bilateral lower extremities. The left shoulder disability claim was remanded but no VA examination has been provided.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is insufficient evidence to establish a link between his current condition and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of aggravation of hypertension during service, and that there was no evidence to show that any other conditions claimed by the Veteran had been aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete records. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, SSA disability determination records, and an examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist to determine the nature of her psychiatric disabilities. An orthopedic examination is also needed to assess the etiology of her low back, left shoulder, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the disability limited the arm to 25 degrees from the side, even when considering functional loss due to pain and other factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted since his original claim decisions. The claims are now pending and will be reviewed again with a focus on obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, with the underlying claim also being granted. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim due to new evidence showing high blood pressure readings after separation from service.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for left shoulder condition was granted, and the issue was remanded as it involves an aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The Board found that there is a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim due to new evidence showing high blood pressure readings after separation from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, an increased rating for right hand arthritis, and TDIU due to lack of a current disability. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his records.